ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer has returned to playing guitar for the first time in years, signaling potential new music following his 2021 arrest for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot. In a June 7, 2026, interview with YouTuber Daniel Harris, Schaffer confirmed he is in the early stages of creative development but remains non-committal regarding a full-length ICED EARTH album or a return to traditional industry touring cycles.
Why is Jon Schaffer returning to music now?
Schaffer credits his return to a natural swell of creative energy that began in early June 2026. According to an interview transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, he stated, “I just started [playing] a week ago today.” Schaffer emphasized that he is not following a schedule or forcing the process, noting that he had not planned to pick up a guitar until the inspiration occurred. He described the process as spiritual, stating, “I’m just gonna let it flow.”
Will there be a new ICED EARTH album?
The future of ICED EARTH remains uncertain. Schaffer explicitly told Daniel Harris that he is “not even gonna commit” to another ICED EARTH album. Instead, he expressed a focus on his side project, SONS OF LIBERTY, suggesting it might be the first material to emerge. Schaffer recently released updated versions of his earlier SONS OF LIBERTY work, including the 2009 Brush-fires Of The Mind LP and the 2011 Spirit Of The Times EP, which feature new mixes and live drums by Mark Prator.
Schaffer has explicitly rejected the use of artificial intelligence in his creative process, calling it “completely anti-human” and stating there is “zero chance” it will be used in his future work.
How has Schaffer’s career changed since the Capitol riot?
Schaffer’s professional life underwent a significant shift following his participation in the January 6, 2021, riot. Following reports of his involvement, his bandmates, including singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton, resigned from ICED EARTH. Additionally, BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch quit DEMONS & WIZARDS, the project he shared with Schaffer. By mid-January 2021, Century Media—the label that previously released material for both bands—no longer listed them on its artist roster.
In October 2024, Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 assessment after pleading guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and trespassing on restricted grounds while armed. He was later among approximately 1,500 individuals pardoned by President Donald Trump for crimes related to the riot.
What is Schaffer’s plan for the music industry?
Schaffer has expressed a desire to avoid the “hamster wheel” of the traditional music business. He stated he is uninterested in spending months on the road as a “traveling T-shirt salesman” due to the financial difficulties many veteran bands face with rising costs. Schaffer told the Brutally Delicious podcast two months prior to his June 2026 interview that he is not interested in “chasing Federal Reserve notes” or releasing music just to feel relevant. He aims to make his future work profitable without relying on the standard label-driven cycle of recording and touring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Jon Schaffer currently in ICED EARTH? While he is the founding guitarist, the band effectively split up following his 2021 arrest. Schaffer has not committed to a new album.
- What is Schaffer working on now? He is currently focused on his side project, SONS OF LIBERTY, and has recently released expanded versions of previous material.
- Was Schaffer pardoned? Yes, according to records, he was one of approximately 1,500 people pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump for crimes related to the January 6, 2021, riot.
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